Dental articulator



' Jan. 6, 1942. H. R. NERBAs 2,259,051

DENTAL ARTICULATOR.

Filed April 21, 1941. 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 6, 1942. H. R. NERBAS2,269,061

' DENTAL ARTICULATOR v Filed April 2l, 1941 .2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @wwwInventor Patented Jan. 6, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DENTALARrroULA'roR Herman Richard Nerbas, Roseburg, reg. Application April 21,1941,A Seriali N0. 389,672

(o1. la-"32) 3 Claims.

The present invention relates 'to new and useful improvements in dentalarticulators and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising a novelmounting for the lower jaw supporting member whereby the lower jaw maybe moved laterally as well as forward, backward and vertically relativeto the upper jaw.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a dentalarticulator comprising novel means for adjustably supporting the upperjaw.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an articulator of thecharacter described which will be comparatively simple in construction,strong, durable, highly eiicient and reliable in use, compact and whichmay be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages ofthe'invention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein like characters of reference designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a View in side elevation of a dental articulator constructedin accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in rear elevation of the device.

Figure 3 is a topplan view.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail view in perspective of one of the resilientsupporting elements for the lower Jaw.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a atbase I of suitable dimensions and material. Rising from one end of thebase I is an integral back plate 2 of substantially the shape shown. toadvantage in Figure 2 of the drawings.

Adjustably mounted on the back plate 2 is an angular bracket 3, saidbracket including a flange 4 which projects forwardly over said backplate and the base I. A thumb screw 5 secures the bracket 4 in positionon the back plate 2. A vertical slot E in the bracket 3 accommodates thethumb screw 5and permits adjustment of said bracket on the back plate 2.

Hingedly mounted at 6 on the angle of the bracket 3 for swingingmovement in a vertical plane and adapted to rest on the flange 4 of saidbracket is a at bar or arm 1. Adjustably mounted on the arm 1 is anupper jaw holding Imember W8'. yA bolt 9 providedwith a Wing nut'Is'ecures the upper jaw holding member 8 in positionfon the arm 1. Alongitudinal slot in 'the-'member 8 accommodates thevbolt 9 and permitsadjustment lof said" member '8.

Secured transversely in a` suitable manner, as by soldering or welding,on the upper portion of the back plate 2 is a substantially oval tube I2of suitable material. Shiftily and swingably mounted in the tube l2 is ahanger I3. 'Ihe hanger I3 includes a rod I4 which passes through the`tube I2 and from the ends of which legs I5 depend. The legs I5terminate, at their lower ends, in forwardly directed sockets I 6.

The rod I4 is mounted for movement in all directions in the tube I2through the medium of pairs of substantially veshaped springs I1. As

illustrated to advantage in Figure 5 of the drawy ings, the springs I1terminate at one end in outturned lugs I8. The lugs I8 are engaged inopenings I9 which are provided therefor in the longitudinal side wallsof the tube I2. 'Ihe springs I1 further include inturned inner endportions 20 which are recessed for the reception of the rodv I4. Thus,the rod I4 is rotatably and yieldingly supported in the tube I2 inspaced relation to the walls of saidtube.

A lower jaw holding member is indicated at 2| and comprises lingers orthe like 22 which are releasably secured in the sockets I6 by thumbscrews 23. A spring 24 has one end portion' secured to the rear portionof the base I, said spring extending forwardly and upwardly foryieldingly supporting the member 2| The spring 24 terminates at itsforward end in a loop 25. Mounted for swinging movement on the base I isa transversely extending, substantially U-shaped prop 26k which isengageable beneath the spring 24 for positively supporting the member 2|when desired. The substantially U-shaped prop 26 terminates in offset,aligned trunnions 21 which are journaled in bearings 28 on the base I.

It is thought that the manner in which the articulator is used will bereadily apparent from .a consideration of the foregoing, particularly tothose of the'tlental profession. Briefly, the cast upper and lower jaws(not shown) are mounted on the members 8 and 2| in the usual manner. Ashereinbefore indicated, the upper jaw may be swung in a vertical planethrough the medium of the hinge connection 6 while the slots 6 and |Ipermit other adjustments to be made as desired. The mounting of thehanger I3 for shifting and swingingmovement in the substantially ovaltube l2, through the medium of the pairs of springs l1, permits thelower jaw to be readily moved laterally as Well as back and forth andvertically. By swinging the member 26 to the position shown in fulllines in Figure 1 of the drawings, thereby engaging said member beneaththe spring 24, a rigid or positive support is provided for the lowerjaw.

It is believed that the many advantages of a dental articulatorconstructed in accordance with the present invention will be readilyunderstood and although a preferred embodiment of the device is asillustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in thedetails of con-.- struction and in the combination and arrangement ofparts may be resortedv to which will fall Within the scope of theinvention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A dental articulator comprising a' support, a.

2. A dental articulator comprising a base, a back plate rising from saidbase, a tube of substantially oval cross section mounted horizontally onthe upper portion of said back plate, a rod extending through the tube,pairs of coacting, substantially V-shaped springs mounted in the tubefor yieldingly and rotatably supporting the rod therein in spacedrelation to the walls of said tube, said springs including lugs on oneend anchored in the tube, the other ends of the springs being recessedand engaged with the rod, legs depending from the ends of the rod,socket `member projecting angularly from the lower ends of said legs, acast jaw holder, and lingers on said holder secured in said socketmembers.

3. A `dental articulator comprising a support, a cast jaw holder movablymounted on said support, a spring mounted on the support and engagedbeneath the holder for yieldingly supporting same, and a substantiallyU-shaped member mounted for swinging movement on the support andengageable beneath the spring for firmly supporting the holder.

HERMAN RICHARD NERBAS.

